The first lesson to be learned
by all students is about the importance of the Holy Qur’aan. The Qur’aan is the
Book of Allah subhaanahu wa ta‘aalaa. Every word in the Qur’aan has come from
Allah. That is why we say that it is a Holy Book. The words in the Qur’aan were
sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad sallal-laahu ‘alayhi wa-aalihi wa sallam. The
Prophet (s) received the words of Allah through angel Jibra’eel. This Qur’aan is
a Holy Book that was not written by anyone but sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad
(s) through Jibra’eel.
It is the most truthful speech: Prophet Muhammad (s) regularly read the words of
Allah to Muslims around him. These Muslims were very pleased and excited to
receive the words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (s) said: The most truthful speech,
the most eloquent advice, and the greatest stories are in the Book of Allah. The
Muslims listened carefully to what the Prophet read, memorized the sentences and
passages of the Qur’aan, recited them regularly and followed the teachings of
the Qur’aan. In order to preserve the words of Allah the Prophet appointed
special people known as “Scribes of the Qur’aan” to write down the words of
Allah.
It is in original language: Prophet Muhammad (s) was an Arab and the majority of
people in Mecca and Medina spoke Arabic. Therefore the Qur’aan was sent in
Arabic. Arabic is written from right to left. It is better to learn to read the
Qur’aan in its original language. Therefore, we will put efforts to learn
Qur’aan written in Arabic instead of simply reading its translation in other
languages.
The Holy Qur’aan contains Allah’s message to all people. It tells people how to
act correctly. It guides us to a correct way of life in this world. The Book of
Allah also talks about life after death. It tells us that Allah has prepared
Paradise for good people and Hell for bad people. The Qur’aan encourages the
worship of only one God Who creates and provides for them. The Book forbids
people from evil and condemns those who do wrong. It contains stories of the
past Prophets and the examples of bad and good people. People are advised in the
Qur’aan to be good to others and respect them. It teaches people to live in
peace and harmony.
Qur’aan brings happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Following the Qur’aan
brings happiness in this world and the world after death. The Prophet (s) said:
If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of a martyr, the salvation on
the Day of Regret and the shade on the Day of Extreme Heat, then you should
study the Qur’aan because it is the word of the Merciful, a sanctuary from
Shaytaan and a causes the tilting of the Balance. In another Hadith we read that
the Prophet (s) has said: The recitor of the Qur’an will be spared from the
calamities of the Hereafter.
It is the only Divine book that has remained unchanged. Allah sent the Qur’aan
to His Prophet. A book sent by Allah to people is known as a Divine Book or a
Heavenly Book. Other Divine Books were also sent to previous prophets. These
are: Suhoof to Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhis salaam; Zaboor to Prophet Dawood
‘alayhis salaam; Tawraah to Prophet Moosaa ‘alayhis salaam; and Injeel to
Prophet ‘Eisaa ‘alayhis salaam.
The difference between the Qur’aan and past revealed books is that the Qur’aan
is the only Divine Book that has remained unaltered. The Qur’aan we have with us
contains exactly the same message that was sent to Prophet Muhammad by Allah
through Jibra’eel.
Our supplications get answered if we were to pray after reading the Holy
Qur’aan. The Prophet (s) said: One who starts the Qur’an and finishes it, Allah
will grant him one answered supplication. It also helps in strengthening our
faith. Imam Ali (a) said: Reciting the Qur’an plants the seed of faith.
The Qur’aan is the best companion. It can be of great help when a child or adult
is feeling lonely. Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Aabideen (a) said: If all who live between
the East and West perish, I will have no fear as long as I have the Qur’an with
me.
Students get wise when they start reading the Qur’aan in their childhood.
Prophet Muhammad (s) said: Whoever reads the Qur’an before becoming Baaligh, has
indeed been given wisdom as a child. The Holy Book is the best intellectual
treasure a student can have. Prophet Muhammad (s) said: The Qur’an is a wealth
with which there is no poverty, and without which there is no wealth. On the
other hand not caring to read and study the Qur’aan is a great loss. Prophet
Muhammad (s) said: Surely the person in whose heart lacks the trace of the
Qur’an is like a ruined house.
Muslims read the Qur’aan to understand the true teachings of Islam. Prophet
Muhammad (s) left the Holy Book and the Ahlul Bayt (a) as the most important
legacy for Muslims after him. He said: I leave tow weighty things among you: The
Book of Allah and my family – the Ahlul Bayt. Indeed these two will never
separate until they reach me near the pool of Kawthar.
All Muslims recite some Soorahs in their prayers. However, it is good to
memorize more Soorahs and read them in Salaat. Imam Muhammad Al-Baaqir (a) said:
Whoever recites the Qur’aan while standing in his prayer, Allah will bestow on
him a hundred blessings for every letter; and whoever recites it while sitting
in his prayer, Allah will reward him fifty blessings for every letter; and
whoever recites it outside of his prayer, Allah will grant him ten blessings for
every letter.
The Qur’aan is a cure to mental and spiritual diseases: Imam Hasan al-‘Askaree
(a) said: The Messenger of Allah (s) said: I advice you to the Qur’aan since it
is the beneficial cure, the blessed medicine, the protection (‘Isma) for he who
holds fast to it, and the salvation for he who follows it. Neither does it cause
crookedness so that it departs (from the truth) nor does it deviate so that it
causes trouble. Its marvels do not come to end and the vastness of refutations
does not wear it.